On the first day in his new role in the national team, head coach Moin Khan stated that the twin events in Bangladesh are crucial for Pakistan in the prevailing situation. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/ EXPRESS
Fears of Pakistan’s isolation from international cricket have been raised after Sri Lanka made a unanimous decision to back reforms in International Cricket Council (ICC) proposed by the ‘Big Three’ – the Indian, English and Australian boards.
The development has totally isolated the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is now the only governing body left that has not backed the new ICC reforms.
For many the PCB is now at the risk of isolation in international cricket and further difference of opinion can result in hefty loss for cricket.
Amid the situation, the stakeholders are desperate to win the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 to prove their worth in global cricket.
‘Need to overcome issues with performance’
On Tuesday, the team started the four-day training camp for the Asia Cup in Bangladesh where they will defend their title.
Moin Khan spoke to the media on the opening day of the camp in Lahore and started the interaction by highlighting the issue of ‘Big Three’.
“Pakistan cricket is going through a crisis,” said the head coach.
“We need support to produce good results under the circumstances.”
“Pakistan have faced difficult times in the past and I always feel it’s the responsibility of the team to keep fighting and to produce good results,” he said.
“We need to overcome the situation through our performances and prove that our cricket cannot be declined due to such issues.”
Moin vows to remove fear
Meanwhile, the former captain, who took over as the head coach last week, said his main aim will be to remove the ‘fear of failure’ from the team.
“During my last stint as manager, I noted the fear of loss among the players that needs to be removed. I will not make tall claims but I can assure all that there will be a change in attitude and more fighting spirit in the team.”
The head coach also reposed confidence in the coaching panel that also includes Moin’s former teammates, Test cricketer Shoaib Mohammad and Mohammad Akram.
“Shoaib was a very good fielder of his time. Secondly, we have batting legend Zaheer Abbas as consultant and I am confident of improvement in both departments,” he assured.
“Pakistan won the Asia Cup for the first time under my captaincy and I am hopeful the team has the ability to defend the title.”
Sethi meets Butt to consult on ICC reforms
On the other hand, the consultation process over the ICC reforms continued Tuesday as PCB chairman Najam Sethi met former chief Ijaz Butt to seek guidelines on the matter. After the meeting, Sethi termed the team’s upcoming assignments crucial in the ongoing scenario.
“It is important for us to win the Asia Cup and World T20 titles. If the team wins PCB will have value and the world would not ignore us.”
The chairman hinted that Pakistan would not surrender despite being left alone on their stance.
“We have a moral standing. If they want our vote, they will need to listen to us.”
On the other hand, Butt advised further consultation and asked PCB not to announce their decision before reaching a conclusion.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (12)
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@Four: Our school boys attack were more than enough for your kinder garden batsmen in all world up matches !
In my opinion Pakistan should take this opportunity for the preparation of the next year cricket world cup. We need to build a side by putting youngsters in not the tried and not the trusted one's like Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Umer Gul and Sohail Tanveer. We need consistency and performance on regular basis. Like if we give a chance to Sami Aslam the U19 batsman for opening slot, Slow left arm bowler Raza Hasssan in place of Zulfiqar babar, then Sadaf the Left Arm Fast bowler in place of Sohail Tanveer, Muhammad Rizwan the wicketkeeper in place of Kamran akmal. So many yougsters are there we need to show confidence justl ike the slectors showed their confidence on Miandad, saleem malik, Waseem Akram, waqar, saqlain, aquib etc when they were young...look we gave then chance timely and ultimately they all became stars of the future.
@GrimmJow
"Waiting for the next world cup 2015. Would be a pleasure to watch India thrash Pakistan, yet again!"
With their schoolboy fast bowlers on Australian tracks?
Sethi consults with Butt... Two legends! Pakistan cricket in safe hands.....
Pakistan is already isolated from world cricket, no country in the world wants to visit Pakistan to play cricket for fear of being murdered . Our former players have been convicted by a foreign country for match fixing because we were to weak to do it ourselves We are in self denial if we think the cricket world needs us , the reality is we need the cricket world. I appeal to all of Pakistan please stop living in Disneyland and smell the coffee
Waiting for the next world cup 2015. Would be a pleasure to watch India thrash Pakistan, yet again!
Yeah aim to overcome big 3 by inducting characters like Kamran akmal, umar akmal and shoaib malik and throwing out Sarfraz despite his excellent performance against Sri Lanka
Tch tch tch, very sad for Pakistan, keep dreaming
Whether Pakistan wins this tournament or not every cricket fan understands/respects the quality of Pakistan cricket. Don't know why PCB unnecessarily put its players under pressure at the start of a big tournament by tying this to the big 3 issue.
Unfortunately, that's the only thing we can do.
God, please save our cricket from these fools.
Time to forget all grudges and support Pakistan team. Wish them to butcher India in Asia Cup like the Kiwis have done